Every season a handful of prospects emerge from nowhere or from under the radar to surface among scouting circles. Looking back at the past three drafts there are several examples.

In 2011, a pair of Auburn prospects -- QB Cam Newton and DT Nick Fairley -- stormed on to the scene leading the Tigers to a national championship while cashing in as top 15 picks with Newton being taking first overall by Carolina. In 2012, Kansas City DT Dontari Poe (Memphis) and New England DE Chandler Jones (Syracuse) both used strong years to earn first-round selections. Last year, Detroit DE Ezekiel Ansah (BYU) and Chicago OG Kyle Long (Oregon) were the two big names who burst onto the scene.

This year has been no different as there are plenty of prospects who have elevated their level of play and are becoming household names. Not all will be first-round selections but their production on the field certainly has them on the radar for this May's draft.

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ABOUT THIS BLOG

Scouts Inc.

Todd McShay(left) is the director of college scouting for Scouts Inc. McShay, who played quarterback at Richmond, has been evaluating NFL prospects since 1998. Follow Todd on Twitter: @McShay13

Steve Muench(middle) played guard at Richmond and worked in the athletic department there and at Boston College before joining Scouts Inc. in 2002. Follow Steve on Twitter: @MuenchESPN

Kevin Weidl(right) is a former quarterback for Indiana (Pa.) University who worked in the pro scouting department for the New York Jets before joining Scouts Inc. in 2007. Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KevinW_ESPN